475. 1CO 3:10. MINISTERS BUILDERS

1Co_3:10. Ministers Builders

"A wise master builder."’971Co_3:10.

The Christian church is likened to a house, a temple, a city. Under each of these metaphors believers are considered as the materials’97the stones of which it is composed. And the character the Christian ministry sustains is clearly the same. God is the great architect. Jesus is the foundation and head of the corner. Ministers are builders; as such the apostle Paul, keeping this idea in view, says of the church at Corinth, "According to the grace of God, which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation:" and of those who followed in his steps he says, and "another buildeth thereon, but let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon," &c. Observe,

I. The Christian Minister is a Builder.

II. He ought to aim at being a wise Master Builder.

I. The Christian Minister is a Builder.

1. He builds up the spiritual house or temple of God.

He is to labor to carry on this spiritual structure towards its final completion; towards its perfection. Its walls are to be elevated, until it is fit for the head stone.

2. He builds upon the one great foundation, Christ.

"Other foundation," &c. He is the chosen of God. The elect, precious, sure, and everlasting basis of this great and glorious structure. Here must rest the weight of every saved soul, and of the whole church.

3. He builds with the living stones of believers.

No other materials will be admitted by the great architect. To this the apostle obviously refers, when he speaks of some building with hay, straw, &c., material that will not stand the fiery ordeal of judgment. Improper persons may be added to the visible church, but the fire, which tries every man’s work, will destroy them, and the builder will lose his expected reward. His work shall suffer loss, &c., see 1Co_5:13-15. Ministers are to preach the gospel that men may hear and believe; and when believers, that they may be built up living stones in Christ’s holy and living house.

4. He builds according to the divine word.

Here are all his directions given. Here he has all the implements or means of building provided. Here his duty, his encouragement, and his resources are provided. Well acquainted with its truths, and he cannot fail in obtaining a knowledge of his work, and of all things necessary for securing success in his undertaking. This leads us to consider, that the Christian minister,

II. Ought to aim at being a wise Master Builder.

But we ask,

1. What is implied in this?

Evidently it means to be qualified with every gift requisite for its arduous duties; sufficient knowledge of the divine word; a personal and experimental acquaintance with the principles and practice of Christianity; a clear understanding; a sound judgment; a ready perception, &c. Not a novice; not an ignorant person: but well instructed in the knowledge of divine things. It includes, too, the improvement of those qualifications, and the practical exercise of all the powers, &c., in this great work. To be wise and act wisely It also includes the efficient and successful character of the ministry, in carrying upwards the walls of this spiritual structure. "He that winneth souls is wise." We ask,

2. What is requisite to this?

Reading, meditation, and prayer; the exercise of the work; make it the preeminent object of our solicitudes, &c. full consecration of all to God. We notice,

3. The motives which should urge to this.

(1) Our own success. For unless we are wise master builders our labors will be entirely in vain

(2) Our comfort and personal happiness. For if we feel rightly, we cannot enjoy real comfort, unless the pleasure of the Lord "prosper" in our hands.

(3) Our own safety, too, is deeply concerned: for unless we build wisely and successfully we may well doubt as to our call, &c., for the work. Our motives ought to be rigidly searched, examined, &c.

(4) Our final glory is identified with it. "They that turn many to righteousness," &c. The wise builder shall have joy And honor from his work in the day of the Lord. But the unwise laborer will only be saved himself, and "as by fire," 5:15.

Application

1. The subject is of great importance to the Christian ministry. Let it lead to self-investigation, &c.

2. It is of importance to all who profess to be a part of Christ’s spiritual building. Are you of the saved? Living stones, &c.

3. How fearful the end of those who are merely hay, wood, stubble. The fire shall consume them.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS